Banner Plane Among Many Who Call in Car Fire in Court House

COURT HOUSE– At approximately 1:30 p.m. today, Middle Township Police Communications received numerous “911” calls of a car fire on County Route 657SH (Stone Harbor Boulevard), including one from an unidentified banner plane, flying overhead. Callers reported being able to see the thick black smoke from the Garden State Parkway, three miles to the west. Other calls came from within Harbor Landing, the condominium complex where the car came to final rest.
Police reports from the scene indicated that Shawn O’Donnell, 32, from Blue Bell, PA, was driving his 2004 Audi A4, with his five year old son, and headed to Stone Harbor. O’Donnell told police he was stopped in traffic, just west of the bridge going into Stone Harbor, when smoke starting coming out from the passenger’s side dashboard.
O’Donnell said he quickly pulled out of traffic, into the nearest parking lot which happened to be the Harbor Landing, parking lot. O’Donnell said he quickly exited the vehicle with his son, and then, attempted to removed his valuables from the car. All that remains are melted toys, burned brief case and a stroller.
Police communications then began to receive a flood of calls from the “911” system, as well as the main number to the station. Patrolman Julio Ruiz was dispatched to the call and could also see smoke from the Parkway. Upon his arrival, Ptl. Ruiz said the car was fully engulfed and there wasn’t anything he could do but wait for Fire personnel to arrive on-scene.
Court House Fire Company was dispatched to the scene and extinguished the fire, with the assistance of the Stone Harbor Fire Company. There were no injuries reported as a result of the fire, and initial reports indicate that there was an electrical malfunction, possibly from the wiper motor that was replaced recently, which is believed to have caused the fire.
The vehicle and most of it’s contents were destroyed along with a section of the parking lot. One other vehicle in the lot at the time, was reported to have minor heat damage and ashes from the fire.
The Middle Township Police Department is happy that everyone is safe that was in the car at the time. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the private citizens and planner plane pilot, who promptly reported the fire, thereby limiting the extent of the damage.
Middle Township is also very proud of our volunteer fire companies, and the solid working relationship with surrounding communities, as was the case with this call, and the Stone Harbor Fire Department. The brave men and women of these fire companies respond to numerous calls throughout the year, and are credited for saving many lives and property, as a result of their quick actions.